Meaning
Someone who is very happy.
Cultural Background
At a Turkish wedding, you will see the 'ağzı kulaklarında' expression on almost everyone, especially the parents. It's a time of communal joy where showing your happiness is a way of honoring the couple. When a Turkish host sees their guest enjoying the food, their 'ağzı kulaklarına varır.' It is a sign of successful hospitality. While being 'ağzı kulaklarında' is good, some people might hide their extreme joy or follow it with 'Maşallah' to prevent 'Nazar' (the evil eye) from ruining their happiness. Football is huge in Turkey. After a derby win, fans walk around 'ağzı kulaklarında' for days, often wearing their team's jersey.
The Vowel Drop
Remember that 'Ağız' becomes 'Ağzı'. If you say 'Ağızı', it sounds like a child speaking.
Not for Sadness
Never use this for 'crying with joy' unless the smile is the dominant feature. It's about the grin.
Meaning
Someone who is very happy.
The Vowel Drop
Remember that 'Ağız' becomes 'Ağzı'. If you say 'Ağızı', it sounds like a child speaking.
Not for Sadness
Never use this for 'crying with joy' unless the smile is the dominant feature. It's about the grin.
Sarcastic Use
You can use it sarcastically if someone is happy about something they shouldn't be. 'Bak şuna, yaramazlık yaptı, ağzı kulaklarında!'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the idiom.
Piyangoyu kazanınca Ali'nin ______ ______ vardı.
Since the subject is 'Ali' (3rd person singular), we use 'ağzı' and 'kulaklarına'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'Ağzı kulaklarında'?
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for great happiness, such as getting a desired job.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Neden böyle ______ ______ geziyorsun?' Fatma: 'Çünkü yarın tatile gidiyorum!'
Fatma is happy about her holiday, so Ayşe asks why she is grinning.
Match the person to the idiom.
Sınavdan 100 alan öğrenci:
A student who gets a perfect score would be extremely happy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPiyangoyu kazanınca Ali'nin ______ ______ vardı.
Since the subject is 'Ali' (3rd person singular), we use 'ağzı' and 'kulaklarına'.
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for great happiness, such as getting a desired job.
Ayşe: 'Neden böyle ______ ______ geziyorsun?' Fatma: 'Çünkü yarın tatile gidiyorum!'
Fatma is happy about her holiday, so Ayşe asks why she is grinning.
Sınavdan 100 alan öğrenci:
A student who gets a perfect score would be extremely happy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's informal to neutral. You wouldn't use it in a legal contract, but you can use it in a newspaper article about a happy athlete.
Yes! 'Bugün ağzım kulaklarımda' is a very natural way to say 'I'm having a great day.'
'Varmak' is the action (the smile spreading), 'olmak' or just using the phrase as an adjective describes the state of being happy.
Use 'kulaklarında' (locative) with 'olmak' (to be at the ears). Use 'kulaklarına' (dative) with 'varmak' (to reach to the ears).
Related Phrases
Gözlerinin içi gülmek
similarTo have a sparkle in one's eyes from happiness.
Etekleri zil çalmak
similarTo be very excited and happy.
Yüzünden düşen bin parça
contrastTo look very grumpy or sad.
Ağzı kulaklarına varmak
builds onThe action of becoming extremely happy.
